Reverse-current controller



March 11 1924. v w. c. NEIN REVERSE CURRENT CONTROLLER Filed March 15,1920' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mid zrj il W INVENTOR f F/c. 6.

F139 By 24' 27 7 /m ATTORNEY March 1'1 1924. 1,486,675

w. c. NEIN REV ERSE CURRENT CONTROLLER Filed March 15, 1920 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 11, 1924.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. NEIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

REVERSE-CURRENT CONTROLLER.

Application filed. March 15,1920. Serial No. 365,803.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. NEIN, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at city of New York, county of Bronx, and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Reverse-CurrentControllers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for permitting current from a source ofelectrical energy to ass through the windings of an electrical evice ina predetermined direction only. It is particularly useful for preventingdemagnetization of the permanent magnets of a magneto or similar devicere-' sulting from current connections of wrong polarity but may haveother uses.

I The main object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter indicated.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the characterdescribed whereby, when used with magnetos as referred to, the permanentmagnets of the magneto or similar device are employed in effectingdesired control. Another object of the invention is to provide apparatusof the character described whereby a relay is employed either externallyto or internally of a magneto or similar device or a switch toaccomplish the desired result.

Other and ancillary objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention;

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating apparatus and connections embodying theinvention as applied to a magneto, the magneto structure includingmodifications for ef fecting the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing apparatus and connections embodying theinvention as applied to a magneto, the structure of the magneto itselfbeing unmodified from the usual practice and the invention beingaccomplished by suitably constructed and connected accessories;

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the invention wherein thecurrent controlling relay is constructed as an adjunct to what isgenerally known as an auxiliary vibrating coil used in connection with amagneto;

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement similar to Fig. 2 but with adifferent wiring arrangement.

Referring to the drawings and first to Fig. 1, which shows in diagramthe electrical connections and circuits also the magnetic circuits ofthe invention as applied to what is commonly known as a battery startingtype magneto, 1 and 2 are the permanent magnets, 3 a magnetic core, 4 amagnetic rotor, and 5 a magnetic end piece, these parts forming themagnetic circuit of an inductor type magneto 6 and 7 are respectivelythe high and low tension windings of the magneto, 8 and 9 arerespectively the movable and stationary parts of the usual circuitbreaker which is operated by the cam 10 on the magneto shaft 11 and 12are pieces of soft iron fastened to magnetic end pieces 3 and 5respectively by means of the screws 13 and 14, and terminating in cores15 and 16 which are wound with coils 17 and 18 respectively. 19 is athin strip of spring steel biased by its spring away from the cores andsecured to the soft iron piece 11 by means of screws 21 and 22 butinsulated therefrom by the block 20. 23 and 24 are insulated terminalsof the magneto to which the usual connections are made from theoperating switch 25, the switch 25 being a three way switch having thepositions magneto. off and battery which as well as other details ofconstruction not mentioned heretofore are familiar to one skilled in theart. One of the stationary contacts for the battery (lefthand) positionof the switch is connected to the battery or other suitable source ofelectrical energy at 26, the batter having one terminal grounded at 27an the other connected to one point of the switch which is grounded asillustrated. The other stationary contact is connected with the terminal23.

In the off (middle) position of the switch, one of the stationarycontacts is connected to the ground at 28 and the other stationarycontact is connected with the magneto terminal 24 while in the magneto(right hand) position the stationary contacts are unconnected.

As stated above the main object of the invention is to provide apparatuswhich will allow an electric current from a source of electrical energyto pass through the windings of an electrical device in a predetermineddirection only. The application of the lllYEli'tiOli a illustrated inFig. 1 is to provide protection for the permanent magnets of a magnetoagainst demagnetization due to current connections of the wrongpoliarity. Thus the iron pieces 11 and 12 with the intervening air gapbetween their cores 15 and 16 are in magnetic shunt to the branchcontaining the magneto pole piece and rotor so that the spring 19 isnormally attracted against its bias by ma netism from the permanentmagnets and establishes a ground connection for the primary coil 7 ofthe magneto. If the current from the batlei-y passing in the properdirection, that is in such direction that the magneto motive force orthe coils 17 and 18 will oppose that of the permanent magnet, the spring19 will be released and move against the contact 34 thereby establishinga connection of the end of the coil 7 with the terminal 23. If thebattery current is not in the right direction, the magneto motive forceoi the coils 1. and 18 will reinforce that of the cores 15 and 16 due tothe permanent magnet and the spring 19 will remain in attractedposition. The right direction of batt ry current is that in which itsellect in flowing through the coil 7 is to reinforce the r-agneto motiveforce of the permanent magnets so that it does not tend to deenergizethose magnets.

in order to clearly set forth the operation of the apparatus the path oithe current may be followed through the several cirunits from oneterminal of the battery to the other: irssuming the operating switch incattery position, circuit may be traced from one ter iiinal of thebattery 26 along conductor 2., switch 25, conductor 30 to insulatedterminal 23, along conductor 31 through electromagnets 1'7 and 18 and insuch direction as to oppose the magnetization by the permanent magnet.

The electromagnets 17 and 18 are so proportioned that when energized thebiased steel spring 19 which is normally held down is released andassumes the position 33 making contact 3-l and allowing current to passthrough it along conductor 35 and through coil 7 (in such a direction asto have a magnetizing eflect on magnets 1 and 2), insulated terminal 2conductor 26, movable part S of the circuit breaker, stationary part 9of circuit breaker and conductor 37 to ground 38 and thence back tothe-negative terminal of the battery 26 by ground 27 and conductor 39.

The foregoing is the action resulting from connecting the correctterminal or pole of the battery 26 to the magneto at terminal 23. If,however, the incorrect pole is connected, current in passing throughelectromagnets 17 and 18 sets up such polarities in to assist in holdingthe biased steel spring 19 firmer than before against contact and whichtherefore does not permit the current to pass through the coil 7 of themagneto and which current in this case would be of such polarity as tooppose the pernuincnt ma nets 1 and 2 and which in practice would be ofsutlicient strength to dema 'netize them.

lVith the switch 25 in the otl' position, the battery will be out ofcircuit so that the spring 19 will be held agaii st the contact to whichis connected with ground. Also the switch will connect the terminal 24with the ground at so that the coil 7 is short oircuited throng the twogrounds just referred to. In the magneto position of the operatingswitch the connections will be the same as in the oil position exceptthat the ground 28 will be disconnected from the terminal 24 which willbe connected with the ground 38 through the conductors 36 and 37 and theinterrupter.

It will be seen that the circuit of the battery, when the operatingswitch is in battery position, will be made through the coils 17 and 1Sregardless of whether the battery circuit is completed through thewinding 7 or not. It is thus made unnecessary that the energizingcurrent for the coils 17 and 18 should pass through the winding 7 sothat the latter receives no current unles it is in the proper direction.

Referring to Fig. 2 the magneto, as in big. 1 comprises the core 3 onwhich are wound the secondary coil 6 and the primary coil 7, the latterbeing connected with the magneto terminals 23 and 2%. The terminal 2i isconnected through the conductor 36 and the interrupter 89" operated bythe cam 10, on the magneto shaft, the contact 9 being connected throughthe conductor 37 with the ground at 38.

Also an operating switch 25 similar to the operating switch of Fig. lprovided which has its contacts connected in the same way wth the groundat 28 and 'ith the conductor 29 extending to one terminal of the battery26 which has its oth r terinina connected by the terminal 39 with theground at 27.

Independent of the ragnetic structure is provided an automatic switchingevice for preventing the battery current ti in passing in the wrongdirection. This switching device comprises a suitably supportedpermanent magnet ii to one end of which is socured the core 4-3 by ascrew 4%. Mounted upon an insulating lock 46 which se cured to themagnet ell by means of a screw 48, is a steel spring mounted upon theinsulating block 456 and secured thereto by means of a screw 47. Thespring is normal ly biased to occupy the position as indicated by dottedlines at 51 but when attracted by the magnetism of the magnet 41 it willbe drawn into the position shown in full lines, thus occupying positionsin contact with the contacts 53 and 49 in its respective positions.

Wound upon the core 43 is a coil 42 which is in circuit with the batterywhen the operating'switch is in battery position and is wound so thatwhen the battery current is flowing in the proper direction the magnetomotive force of 42 will oppose the magnetism ot' the permanent magnetand W111 release the spring 45 so that it will come magnet 41, the steelspring will be released and come against the contact 53 whereuponcircuit will be made from the conductor through the contact 53,spring45, conductor 54, magneto terminal 23, magneto primary coil 7, terminal34, conductor 36, interrupter 8-9' and conductor 37 to ground 38. If,however, the battery current is not flowing in the proper direction itwill be the reverse of that as previously supposed so that the coil 42will reinforce the permanent magnet and the spring will be the morefirmly attracted so that the circuit of the magneto through the batterywill be interru )ted at the contact 53.

eferring now to Fig. 3,the magneto, as in the preceding figures,comprises a core 3" on which are wound the secondary coil 6 and therimary coil 7. One terminal of the coil 7 is connected with ground, theother with the magneto terminal 24" which is connected through aconductor 86 and an interrupter comprising the movable and fixedcontacts 8" and 9", the former being operated by a cam 10 and the latterbeing connected by a conductor 32" with the ground at 28". Also there isprovided an operating switch 25 similar to the analo gous switches inthe preceding figures, one of the points of the 011' position beingconnected with a ground at 28 and the other point of that position beingconnected by a conductor 68 with the magneto terminal 24'. One of thebattery point of the switch is connected through a conductor 29" withone terminal of the battery 26", the other terminal of the batter beingconnected through the terminal 28" with the ground at 27 One of thepoints of switch 25" is connected with the junction 66. From thejunction 66 one circuit extends to a terminal of the coil 65 of thevibrator usual in the ignition circuit. The other terminal of the coil65 is connected with a steel spring 61 normally biased by its spring soas to be in engagement with the contact 64. When, however, the spring 61is attracted by the magnet having the coil 65, the spring will be movedout of contact with the contact 64 thereby breaking the circuit at thatpoint. From the contact 64 a conductor 67 extends to the device forpreventing current passing in the wrong direction. The conductor 67 isconnected to the steel spring 51 which is biased so as to normally standaway from the core 43" and in contact with the contact 53; The core 43is mounted on the permanent magnet 41 so as to be energized thereby toattract the spring 51", thi latter spring being insulated by beingmounted upon an insulating block 46 it being secured thereto by means ofa screw 47", and core 43 and the block 46 are secured to the permanentmagnet by means of screws 44 and 48" respectively.

Upon the core 43 is a coil 42 one end of which is connected with thejunction 66 and the other end being connected through the conductor 52with the ground at 50". The direction of the winding 42" is such thatwhen current passes in the proper direction from the battery to themagneto, the magneto motive force of coil 42 will be such to oppose thatof the permanent magnet 41".

When the direction of current is right there-fore the magnetizing actionof the permanent magnet will be neutralized by that of the coil 42" tosuch an extent that the steel spring 51 will be released and spring backagainst the contact 53". If, however, the current should be oing in theother and wrong direction, tie magneto motive force of the coil 42" willreinforce that of the permanent magnet and the spring 51" will besecurely attracted away from the contact 53 so that the circuit isbroken at that point. \Vith the operating switch in battery positioncircuits may be placed as follows:

From the positive terminal of the battery along conductor 29", throughswitch 25", to junction 66, where it divides, one part being throughcoil 42" and conductor 52" to ground at 50", the polarities of coil 42"opposing the permanent magnet 41" which in turn releases spring 45"which assumes the position 51" coming in contact with the contact 53".Startin again at junction 66 the other path is t rough the winding ofthe vibrating coil 60, through the vibrating spring 61, contact 64,conductor 67, spring 61, contact 53", conductor 68 and magneto terminal24" whence the circuit passes through the winding to ground therebycompleting the circuit through the bat tery and the coil 7", it havingbeen observed that aterminal of the battery also is connected to ground.

Circuit is made as above when the positive terminal of the battery isconnected to switch 25. In case the negative terminal is so connected,the circuit in passing through the coil 4-2 would ause polarity ich thatit would assist the permanent ma net 41 n CD to hold the spring to morefirmly than before, thus preventing it from making contact with thecontact 53. The circuit will thus be opened at this contact and currentwill be prevented from passing throu h the coil 7 1n t-lllS, the wrondia a rcction.

Referring to Fig. i there is shown therein an arran 'ement requiringonly one conductor lead to the magneto, the arrangement bein otherwisesimilar to that shown in Fig. :2. In Fig. it there is a magneto as inthe previous apparatus comprising a core 3* upon which are wound coils 6and '7 which are the secondary and primary windings respectively. Theprimary winding has its terminal connected with the magneto terminals:23" and 2t. The latter terminal is connected through the conductor 36with the interrupter 89 which is operated by a cam l0 on the magnetoshaft, and whereby connection is made and broken through the conductor37 with the ground at 38. 25 which is similar to the previouslydescribed switches of this character out dilitherefrom somewhat in itsconnections as will appear hereinafter.

(hie ot the points of this switch in the magneto position is connectedto the ground at 2 and the other point is connected with the magnetoterminal 28 and also with the switch contact 53. The points in the oilposition are not connected while those in the battery posi ion areconnected, one, through the conductor 29 and the battery 26 with theground 27, while the other point oi that switch position is connected tothe spring 51 and also with one terminal oi the coil s2 upon the core 43which is mounted upon the permanent magnet 4-1.". The other terminal ofthe coil 42 is connected through the conductor 52 with ground at Withthe switch in the battery position, circuit may be traced from thepositive terminal of the battery 26 through the conductor 29 to theoperating switch, thence the circuit passes into two branches, one toone terminal of the winding 42 and thence to ground as before referredto, and the other to the steel spring 51 which, as before explained,tends to stand away from the core &2 and against the contact 53 ll' iththe positive terminal of the battery connected as described, current inAlso there is the operating switch the coil 12 will oppose the magnetismset up by the permanent Ina net so that the steel pring 45 will be reeased and come against the contact 53, thence circuit may be tracedthrough the magneto terminal 23 and thence through the coil 7 to ground.If, however, the. battery should have its connections reversed, currentwould pass in the reverse direction through the coil 42 so that themagneto motive force of that coil will reinforce that of the permanentmagnet and more securely hold the spring 45 away from the contact 53,the permanent magnet tending to hold the spring 45 in this position andactually doing so when the coil 42 is deenergized.

\Vith the spring 45 thus held away from the contact 53 the circuitthrough the battery and coil 7 will be broken. Thus it is that itcurrent tends to be passed through the coil 7 in the wrong direction theapparatus described will prevent it.

While the invention has been illustrated in what are considered its bestapplications, it may have other embodiments without departing from itsspirit and is not therefore limited to the structures shown in thedrawings.

l hat I claim is:

1. The combination with a magneto having a permanent magnet of primaryand secondary windings receiving the magnetism from said magnet,switching mechanism controlling the circuit through said source and saidprimary winding, said switching mechanism tending to maintain circuitclosed through said primary winding and source, a permanent magnetacting 011 said switching mechanism to open the circuit of said primarywinding and an electromagnet receiving current from said source andopposing the magneto motive force of said permanent magnet so as topermit the closing of the circuit through said source and primarywinding when the current tends to ilow in the proper direction throughsaid primary winding.

2. In an ignition system, the continuation of an ignition currentgenerator having permanent field magnets, an auxiliary source of currentadapted to supply unidirectional current, manual means for connectingthe generating winding of the generator to said auxiliary source ofcurrent, and automatic means for preventing all flow of current from theauxiliary source through the generating winding except when said currentflows in a predetermined direction.

3. In an ignition system, the combination of an ignition currentgenerator having permanent magnets, an auxiliary source of currentadapted to supply unidirectional current, manual means for connectingthe generating winding of the generator to said auxiliary source ofcurrent, and automatic means controlled by current from the saidauxiliary source for preventing all flow of current from said sourcethrough the generating winding other than in a predetermined direction.

4. In an ignition system, the combination of an ignition currentgenerator having permanent field magnets, an auxiliary source of currentadapted to supply unidirectional current, manual means for connectingthe generating windin of the generator to said auxiliary source 0current, and automatic switch devices comprising electro-ma neticactuating means adapted to close the circuit between the auxiliarysource and the generating winding when the current from said sourceflows in a predetermined direction in relation to the winding and tomaintain said circuit open when the current from the source is notflowing or is flowing in the opposite direction.

5. In an ignition system, the combination with an ignition currentgenerator having permanent field magnets, a generating windinginductively arranged in the field of said magnets, and a rotor adaptedby its movement to vary the flux passing through the generating windinwithout reversing the direction of the ux in relation to said winding,of an auxiliary source of current adapted to en ply unidirectionalcurrent, manual means or connecting the generating winding of thegenerator to said source of current, and automatic means for preventingall flow of current from the auxiliary source through the generatingWinding other than in a predetermined direction adapted to exert amagnetizing influence on the permanent magnets of the generator.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 12th day ofMarch, 1920.

WILLIAM C. NEIN.

